Since most Japanese practice either Buddhism or Shintoism, there's only like a
small portion that are actually Christian... so is Christmas just a
non-religious holiday focused on decoration and giving? Surely the conglomerate
benefits from this, just like in western cultures but without the religious
ties.
I do have a vague idea of what Christmas is like in Japan, just from what I've
seen in anime or have read in some articles.
It seems the Japanese have adopted many holiday customs; decorating homes and
stores with festive lights and ornaments, in addition to holiday sales, parties,
Christmas music, etc...
Since it's December and the end of another year, there are also "end of the
year" parties (of the bonenkai season) that sync up with Christmas and New
Years celebrations. So I guess there's more going on than just Christmas, but
there are still a lot of similarities. That's globalization for ya!
Anyway I know there's a lot of info missing, so what else goes on in Japan
during this month of peace and joy?
I think they adopted the whole "decorating" and "Christmas
tree" type of Christmas. But if it comes to the true essence of the
occasion, I would guess that they don't really know it.
I guess they like the atmosphere and occasions of the holiday. Did you know that
Japan has Christmas chicken? I am not kidding. Just as America has turkey for
the holidays, Japan has chicken for Christmas. It all started when KFC was
making its way into Japan. In attempts to bolster business, KFC used commercials
to advertise their chicken for Christmas. Now KFC has people pre-ordering
buckets of chicken for their families and it's not uncommon for KFC stores to
have lines or run out of stock for these orders. I am not kidding about this. I
read about this in a magazine that talks about Japanese culture (well, a small
section of it does). That's one of the things I hear for what they do in Japan.
As for everything else I don't know what else they do except celebrate Christmas
without much focus on the religious part.
Christmas in Japan is a joke if you take Christmas seriously. If you are like me
and love the decorations and the pretty things about Japan (ie, more commercial
than religious aspects) then you'll love Christmas in Japan.
Christmas dinner is a riot. All of my co-workers will be ordering Christmas Cake
and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Christmas cake reminds me of a birthday cake; white
cake, white frosting, and strawberries on top. As for KFC, they all think that
in America we eat fried chicken on Christmas, so that is what they order.
Christmas is also considered more of a couple's holiday, similar to Valentine's
Day. I have a feeling this is caused by all the cheesy TV dramas and romantic
holiday-based movies.
"Now KFC has people pre-ordering buckets of chicken for their families and
it's not uncommon for KFC stores to have lines or run out of stock for these
orders."
From the various animes, it seems that Christmas is a lot like our New Year's
where couples give each other gifts after midnight. But that chicken from KFC is
definitely mind boggling.
Now that I think about it, none of the holidays really transfered over well.
Valentine's day is a day where girls make chocolates to give to guys.
Japanese do a lot of decorations and the lighting is sooooo pretty! They do
understand what it is and i think they exchange gifts, well my grandfather from
japan always sent us christmas cards and gifts...i guess they just adopted it
like...any country (?) I am pretty sure that they dont celebrate christmas for
the christianity side unless theyre christian, but they still have the christmas
essence.
Since most Japanese practice either Buddhism or Shintoism, there's only like a small portion that are actually Christian... so is Christmas just a non-religious holiday focused on decoration and giving? Surely the conglomerate benefits from this, just like in western cultures but without the religious ties.
I do have a vague idea of what Christmas is like in Japan, just from what I've seen in anime or have read in some articles.
It seems the Japanese have adopted many holiday customs; decorating homes and stores with festive lights and ornaments, in addition to holiday sales, parties, Christmas music, etc...
Since it's December and the end of another year, there are also "end of the year" parties (of the bonenkai season) that sync up with Christmas and New Years celebrations. So I guess there's more going on than just Christmas, but there are still a lot of similarities. That's globalization for ya!
Anyway I know there's a lot of info missing, so what else goes on in Japan during this month of peace and joy?
I think they adopted the whole "decorating" and "Christmas tree" type of Christmas. But if it comes to the true essence of the occasion, I would guess that they don't really know it.
I guess they like the atmosphere and occasions of the holiday. Did you know that Japan has Christmas chicken? I am not kidding. Just as America has turkey for the holidays, Japan has chicken for Christmas. It all started when KFC was making its way into Japan. In attempts to bolster business, KFC used commercials to advertise their chicken for Christmas. Now KFC has people pre-ordering buckets of chicken for their families and it's not uncommon for KFC stores to have lines or run out of stock for these orders. I am not kidding about this. I read about this in a magazine that talks about Japanese culture (well, a small section of it does). That's one of the things I hear for what they do in Japan. As for everything else I don't know what else they do except celebrate Christmas without much focus on the religious part.
Christmas in Japan is a joke if you take Christmas seriously. If you are like me and love the decorations and the pretty things about Japan (ie, more commercial than religious aspects) then you'll love Christmas in Japan.
Christmas dinner is a riot. All of my co-workers will be ordering Christmas Cake and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Christmas cake reminds me of a birthday cake; white cake, white frosting, and strawberries on top. As for KFC, they all think that in America we eat fried chicken on Christmas, so that is what they order.
Christmas is also considered more of a couple's holiday, similar to Valentine's Day. I have a feeling this is caused by all the cheesy TV dramas and romantic holiday-based movies.
"Now KFC has people pre-ordering buckets of chicken for their families and it's not uncommon for KFC stores to have lines or run out of stock for these orders."
i can imagine that happening.. hahahaha.. 2funny.
From the various animes, it seems that Christmas is a lot like our New Year's where couples give each other gifts after midnight. But that chicken from KFC is definitely mind boggling.
Now that I think about it, none of the holidays really transfered over well. Valentine's day is a day where girls make chocolates to give to guys.
Japanese do a lot of decorations and the lighting is sooooo pretty! They do understand what it is and i think they exchange gifts, well my grandfather from japan always sent us christmas cards and gifts...i guess they just adopted it like...any country (?) I am pretty sure that they dont celebrate christmas for the christianity side unless theyre christian, but they still have the christmas essence.